Academy for Global Leadership Screening 'Girl Rising'

New Milford High School's Academy for Global Leadership will be sponsoring a screening of Girl Rising, a film about nine young women from nine countries, written by nine writers and narrarated by nine actors. The film is based on the principle that telling stories about individual human beings and their particular circumstances is the most meaningful way and effective way to create understanding.

The Academy for Global Leadership chose to screen the film to heighten the awareness of NMHS's student body who may not be aware that more than 77 million girls across the world are denied an education. In some cases, gender can be the single factor that launches a child into a life of unimaginable poverty, slavery, child marriage, prostitution and abuse. 

According to Danielle Shanley, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, the film promotes the elevation of young girls through education, self-determination and hard work. Messages that are culturally, politically, and humanely relevant to 21st-century global understanding.

The film is the result of nine journalists seeking an answer to the question "How do you end global poverty?" In seeking the answers, the writers discovered that educating girls is the most effective way to break cycles of poverty. If a girl is educated, it is far more likely that she will marry later, have fewer children, and avoid contracting HIV/AIDS and earn more money. She is also less likely to be a victim of domestic violence and more likely to engage in civic leadership.

The film examines the barriers to education that challenge young women all over the globe and their courage and determination to break through those barriers. Barriers to education that boys do not encounter - like early and forced marriage, domestic slavery, gender violence and discrimination. The reasons are many – cultural tradition, a lack of attention by policy leaders, poverty – but the result is that girls are left behind.

"If global awareness is something we strive to promote, I believe this film will resonate with many of our students and inspire them," Shanley said.

"More importantly, I hope it will encourage an appreciation for the educational opportunities students enjoy in America, something far too many children around the world, girls in particular, are born without.

Narrators include Meryl Streep, Kate Blanchet, Anne Hathaway, Selena Gomez, and Liam Neeson.

The May 20 screening is free for students and their parents, and faculty. It will be at 7pm in the High School auditorium. For more information about screening the film or finding a screening, click here.

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